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What’s Next

While we don’t know what the next major disaster might be or where or when it might strike…

We do know that what’s needed is a well-prepared public and trained faith-based volunteers who will be an asset for emergency responders and for the Whole Community.

Project Insights

Based on feedback from Focus Groups, Community Outreach and Forums, the Faith Community Partnering for Emergency Preparedness Project gained the following insights:

The Faith Community welcomes outreach initiatives by emergency managers, planners and responders

Emphasizing shared values of caring for those impacted by disasters can help overcome differences

The Faith Community will take part in emergency response and recovery—they are a resource, but they need preparedness tools and training opportunities

By joining together, our communities can become stronger

Next Steps

The Faith Community Partnering for Emergency Preparedness Project is starting Phase II with outreach, training and collaboration to strengthen regional capacity-building. The first planned training program will be on Emotional Spiritual Care/Psychological First Aid. We will also help connect members of the Faith Community to local/regional activities of their LEPC/REPC/MMRS as well as training opportunities conducted by organizations including:

American Red Cross

Community Emergency Response Team

Disaster Animal Response Team (DART)

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

The Salvation Army, Emergency Disaster Service

Looking forward to Phase III, the Faith Community Partnering for Emergency Preparedness Project plans to provide information about establishing Emergency Rest Centers to congregations and other faith-based organizations that seek to serve as a community resource in a disaster. We also will continue communication with those leading regional and state initiatives such as Massachusetts VOAD and federal programs for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnership at DHS, FEMA and the White House.

This document was prepared under a grant from FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Points of view or opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.